The Five Foundations

Through numerous conversations with priests and lay leaders, Bishop Louis Tylka discerned five foundations on which to build the future of the Diocese of Peoria, to become an even more vibrant, mission-driven and sustainable Church. The five foundations are:

1. Empower evangelization so as to share the saving name of Jesus.
2. Inspire discipleship in each baptized follower of Jesus.
3. Deepen our awareness of the presence of Jesus in the Eucharist.
4. Strengthen vocations to the priesthood and religious life.
5. Continue the legacy of Archbishop Fulton Sheen.

Growing Disciples - The Five Foundations 
​Part 1: Empowering Evangelization
What does "evangelization" really mean, and how are we called to evangelize as Catholics? What does this have to do with the Growing Disciples Pastoral Planning initiative? In this video, Bishop Lou Tylka and Father Adam Cesarek, pastor of St. Mary's Catholic Church in Pontiac, Ill., discuss their perspectives–and address common challenges and questions–related to evangelization and Growing Disciples.

Growing Disciples - The Five Foundations
​Part 2: Inspiring Discipleship
What did Jesus intend for all of us when he called his first disciples--and what does that mean for us as a Church today? Matt Faley Chief of Mission for the Diocese of Peoria, and Jenny Witt, Director of Evangelization at St. Philomena Parish, discuss what we mean when we use the word "discipleship," how to discern what Jesus intended for all of us, and how to live out vibrant discipleship--both in our personal apostolates and in our parishes--which is an important goal of the Growing Disciples pastoral planning process.

Growing Disciples - The Five Foundations
​Part 3: Strengthening Vocations
How did God make you to love? Which path will lead you to holiness? Fr. Chase Hilgenbrinck, Director of Vocations for the Diocese of Peoria, and Sr. M. Bernadette, FSGM, discuss our universal call to holiness, how to listen for the path God is calling us to take, and why they each felt called to enter the religious life – a foundational understanding essential to the Growing Disciples pastoral planning process.

Growing Disciples - The Five Foundations
Part 5: Venerable Fulton J. Sheen
​Watch as Monsignor Jason Gray, Priest and Director of the Archbishop Fulton Sheen Foundation, and Katie Bogner, Teacher for the Diocese of Peoria and creator of “Teaching with Fulton Sheen” curriculum, discuss the life of Archbishop Fulton Sheen, his first recorded miracle, and the many ways he modeled how we can pursue our lives as disciples, living and working in witness for Christ.

Growing Disciples - The Five Foundations
​Part 4: The Eucharist
Do you believe in the true presence of Jesus in the Eucharist? Did you know that the Mass is our invitation to join in Christ’s sacrifice and participate in communion with God and love for Jesus? Father Luke Spannagel, Priest and National Eucharistic Preacher for the Diocese of Peoria, and Ana Rodas, Assistant Director of Divine Worship for the Diocese of Peoria, discuss how we can come to know and experience Christ’s true presence in the Eucharist, so that our participation in the Mass produces the fruit our Lord intended when He gave us the gift of sharing in communion through the Eucharist – a foundational understanding essential to the Growing Disciples pastoral planning process.

Updates

Growing Disciples: State of the Mission Address from Bishop Louis Tylka
In this latest update, Bishop Louis Tylka discusses the state of our mission, reminding us that although we have many challenges ahead, through the Five Foundations we have much to be hopeful for as we embark on a renewed path forward to go out and proclaim the Gospel, making and growing disciples of Jesus Christ and becoming a more vibrant, mission-driven Church, alive with the Holy Spirit. 

Growing Disciples Update: Priest Assembly Day
Father Chase Hilgenbrinck, Director of Vocations for the Diocese of Peoria, shares an update regarding the recent Priest Assembly Day and Pastoral Planning Commission meeting.

Growing Disciples Update: Catholic Schools
Most Reverend Louis Tylka, Bishop of Peoria, shares an update on how Catholic schools in the Diocese of Peoria will be addressed in the Growing Disciples pastoral planning process. Read more in the statement here.

Growing Disciples Update: Kay Parish Leader Meeting & Parish Models Feedback Session
Father David Richardson shares an update regarding the recent Key Parish Leader meetings, where those in attendance learned about this first round of "parish models" - that is, groupings of parishes that might work together as a new "unified" parish in the future as part of the Growing Disciples pastoral planning process.

Growing Disciples Update: 2023-2024
Planning ProcessMost Reverend Louis Tylka, Bishop of Peoria, outlines the Growing Disciples planning process from now through Pentecost 2024. He discusses information about parish draft modeling milestones, timelines and key consultative bodies involved in providing feedback. The graphic to the right illustrates this information. Click graphic to enlarge.